Nancy Pelosi calls Wendy Davis ‘brilliant, courageous’

As state Sen. Wendy Davis nears an announcement on whether she’ll run for governor, U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi on Monday called her “brilliant” and “courageous.”

Asked whether she thought the Fort Worth Democrat could raise the tens of millions of dollars needed to mount such a race, Pelosi said yes, adding, “I don’t think that would be an obstacle.”

Pelosi was in Austin to talk about economic policies important to women at an event hosted by the American Association of University Women at the Eastview Campus of Austin Community College.

Asked if Davis could expect support from national Democratis such as Pelosi if she runs, the Democrat who’s often reviled by Republicans in this red state was careful.

“I think many people across the country are waiting for Wendy’s decision, but what’s important is what the people of Texas think about that decision,” said Pelosi, praising her and saying Davis understands “women in the workplace, the balance that has to happen there.”

As to whether she had encouraged Davis to run, Pelosi said, people have to make their own decisions on such matters.
“I think she knows how much we all respect her, but it’s not really about what anybody outside the state thinks. It’s about what she thinks is possible here.”